{{short description|Irish Roman Catholic prelate (1950–2024)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}} {{Infobox Christian leader | type = Archbishop | honorific_prefix = [[His Excellency]], [[The Most Reverend]] | name = Noël Treanor | honorific_suffix = | title = [[Apostolic Nunciature to the European Union|Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union]] | image = Noël Treanor - 2023 (cropped).jpg | caption = Archbishop Treanor in 2023 | alt = | church = [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] | archdiocese = | diocese = | see = | appointed = 26 November 2022 | enthroned = | term_end = 11 August 2024 | predecessor = [[Aldo Giordano]] | successor = [[Bernardito Auza]] | ordination = 13 June 1976 | ordained_by = [[Patrick Mulligan (bishop)|Patrick Mulligan]] | consecration = 29 June 2008 | consecrated_by = [[Seán Brady (bishop)|Seán Brady]] | rank = <!-- Personal details --> | birth_date = {{birth date|1950|12|25|df=y}} | birth_place = [[Tyholland]], Ireland | death_date = {{death date and age|2024|08|11|1950|12|25|df=y}} | death_place = [[Brussels]], Belgium | other_post = | previous_post = {{unbulleted list |[[Roman Catholic Diocese of Down and Connor|Bishop of Down and Connor]] (2008–2022)|Secretary General of [[Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community|COMECE]] (1993–2008)|Prefect of Studies at the [[Pontifical Irish College]]}} | alma_mater = [[St Patrick's College, Maynooth]]<br>[[Pontifical Gregorian University]] | motto = ''{{lang|la|Sicut filii lucis ambulate}}''<br><small>(Walk as children of light)</small> | coat_of_arms = Coat of arms of Noel Treanor.svg }}{{infobox bishopstyles |name=Noël Treanor |dipstyle=[[The Most Reverend]] *[[Excellency|His Excellency]] *[[The Most Reverend]] |offstyle=[[Your Excellency]] |relstyle=[[Archbishop]] |deathstyle= |image=Coat of arms of Noel Treanor.svg |image_size=200px }}
'''Noël Treanor''' (25 December 1950 – 11 August 2024) was an Irish [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] [[prelate]] who served as [[Apostolic Nunciature to the European Union|Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union]] with the personal title of [[archbishop]] from 2022 until his death in 2024. He was Secretary-General of the [[Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Union]] (COMECE) from 1993 to 2008 and 32nd Bishop of [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Down and Connor|Down and Connor]] from 2008 to 2022.
== Early life and education == Treanor was born on 25 December 1950 at Silverstream, [[County Monaghan]]. He attended primary school at St Brigid's National School, Leitrim, and secondary school at St Mary's CBS, [[Monaghan]], before beginning studies in [[The arts|arts]] and [[philosophy]] at [[St Patrick's Pontifical University, Maynooth|St Patrick's College, Maynooth]] in 1968 and later [[theology]] in 1971.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |date=22 February 2008 |title=Appointment of new Bishop in Down and Connor Press Conference details |url=https://www.catholicbishops.ie/2008/02/22/appointment-bishop-connor-press-conference-details/ |access-date=7 February 2024 |website=Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference |archive-date=7 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207114631/https://www.catholicbishops.ie/2008/02/22/appointment-bishop-connor-press-conference-details/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
Treanor was [[Holy orders in the Catholic Church|ordained a priest]] for the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Clogher|Diocese of Clogher]] on 13 June 1976.<ref name=":0" />
== Presbyteral ministry == Following his ordination, Treanor was sent to the [[Pontifical Irish College]] for further studies in theology at the [[Pontifical Gregorian University]], where he completed a [[Licentiate (degree)|licentiate]] in [[sacred theology]], within special commendation, in 1977.<ref name=":0" />
He was recalled to the Diocese of Clogher in 1980, where he received his first diocesan assignment as assistant in the [[St Macartan's Cathedral, Monaghan|cathedral parish]] of [[Monaghan]] and Rackwallace, with responsibility for the local Catholic marriage advisory council.<ref name=":0" />
Treanor returned to Rome in 1981 to complete further studies, while also serving as Prefect of Studies at the Pontifical Irish College. He subsequently returned to Ireland in 1985, when he was appointed diocesan director of adult education and organised a diocesan assembly of clergy held in 1986 to promote pastoral renewal within the diocese. Treanor was next appointed curate in [[Enniskillen]], where he also served as chaplain to the local general hospital and a confessor at the nearby [[St Patrick's Purgatory]].<ref name=":0" />
He was sent to [[Brussels]] in 1989, to work with [[Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Union|COMECE]]. While deeply involved in the expanding endeavour of COMECE to project Christian values into the European process, Treanor continued to engage in pastoral work through contact with the local English-speaking community. He also published and lectured widely on European construction issues, the Church and Europe, and Church-State matters.<ref name=":0" />
Treanor was appointed [[Secretary (title)|Secretary General]] of COMECE on 31 March 1993, and subsequently appointed [[Chaplain of His Holiness]] on 18 May 1994.<ref name=":0" />
In addition to his native [[English language|English]] and [[Irish language|Irish]], Treanor was fluent in [[French language|French]], [[German language|German]], [[Italian language|Italian]] and [[Spanish language|Spanish]].<ref>{{cite web |date=26 November 2022 |title=Pope appoints Noel Treanor as Apostolic Nuncio to EU |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-11/pope-appointment-apostolic-nuncio-european-union-noel-treanor.html |access-date=7 February 2024 |website=Vatican News |archive-date=7 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207114629/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-11/pope-appointment-apostolic-nuncio-european-union-noel-treanor.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
== Bishop of Down and Connor== The then [[Monsignor]] Treanor was appointed [[Bishop of Down and Connor]] by [[Pope Benedict XVI]] on 22 February 2008.<ref name="vatbio12">{{cite press release |date=22 February 2008 |publisher=Holy See Press Office |access-date=27 November 2022 |language=it |url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2008/02/22/0111/00268.html |title=Rinunce e Nomine, 28.02.2008 |archive-date=7 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607003030/https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2008/02/22/0111/00268.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=22 February 2008 |title=New Nuncio and Bishop for Ireland |url=http://www.zenit.org/article-21857?l=english |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430164249/http://www.zenit.org/article-21857?l=english |archive-date=30 April 2011 |access-date=26 March 2010 |work=Zenit News Agency}}</ref> He was consecrated by the [[Archbishop of Armagh]] and [[Primacy of Ireland|Primate of All Ireland]], [[Seán Brady (cardinal)|Seán Brady]], on 29 June in [[St Peter's Cathedral, Belfast|St Peter's Cathedral]], [[Belfast]].<ref name="vatbio22">{{cite press release |publisher=Holy See Press Office |url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2022/11/26/0879/01843.html |title=Rinunce e nomine, 26.11.2022 |date=26 November 2022 |language=it |access-date=26 November 2022}}</ref> Treanor's was the first consecration of a newly-appointed bishop in the diocese since that of [[Daniel Mageean]] in 1929.<ref>{{cite web |last= |first= |date=23 February 2008 |title=Lover of Futility: Bishop Daniel Mageean |url=https://lover-of-futility.blogspot.com/2008/02/bishop-daniel-mageean.html |access-date=7 February 2024 |website=Lover of Futility |archive-date=7 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207114628/https://lover-of-futility.blogspot.com/2008/02/bishop-daniel-mageean.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
Ahead of a [[Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008|referendum in the Republic of Ireland]] on the ratification of the [[Treaty of Lisbon]] in October 2009, he advocated for a Yes vote, saying that Roman Catholics could vote in favour of the treaty in good conscience. Treanor cited his experience with [[Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Union|COMECE]] in assuring an [[Oireachtas]] committee that ratification of the treaty would not affect Irish sovereignty over issues such as [[Abortion in the Republic of Ireland|abortion]] and [[Irish neutrality|military neutrality]].<ref>{{cite news |date=17 September 2009 |title=Lisbon 'fine by us' says bishop |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8260836.stm |access-date=27 November 2022 |publisher=BBC News |archive-date=27 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127122601/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8260836.stm |url-status=live}}</ref>
He described the findings of the [[Murphy Report]], published in November 2009, as "horrific", and expressed his confidence that the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Down and Connor|Diocese of Down and Connor]] had rid itself of all abusing priests.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Henry |first=Lesley-Anne |date=28 November 2009 |title=Police Investigate Two Northern Ireland Catholic Priests over Child Abuse |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/police-investigate-two-northern-ireland-catholic-priests-over-child-abuse-14579208.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091201030351/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/police-investigate-two-northern-ireland-catholic-priests-over-child-abuse-14579208.html |archive-date=1 December 2009 |work=[[Belfast Telegraph]] |access-date=28 November 2009 |url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref>
Speaking at a press conference in August 2010, where previously undisclosed documents from diocesan archives relating to the [[Ballymurphy massacre]] were made public for the first time, Treanor expressed his support for an international, independent inquiry into the events of the massacre, adding:<ref>{{cite news |last=Heaney |first=John |date=31 July 2010 |title=Bishop backs inquiry into killings by paras |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/bishop-backs-inquiry-into-killings-by-paras-1.630494 |access-date=7 February 2024 |newspaper=The Irish Times |archive-date=7 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207114628/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/bishop-backs-inquiry-into-killings-by-paras-1.630494 |url-status=live}}</ref>
<blockquote>As with [[Bloody Sunday (1972)|Bloody Sunday]], the reputations of those who were killed were actively besmirched and the evidence of the available eyewitnesses was either ignored or actively discredited. Indeed the events in Ballymurphy on August 9th–11th, 1971, would and perhaps should have been considered the necessary starting point for such an inquiry.</blockquote>
At the diocesan congress in 2013, he launched a review into ensuring that diocesan pastoral activities matched current resources, initiating a review of pastoral structures which drew upon the results of a census held in 2011. New pastoral communities were drafted and presented to clergy in three meetings and subsequently to the lay faithful, with a regular practice rate of 20% across the diocese significantly influencing future structures, leading to increased sharing of personnel, skills and finances.<ref>{{cite web |last=Foley |first=Ann Marie |date=28 September 2013 |title=Bishop Treanor launches pastoral plan for Down and Connor |url=https://www.catholicireland.net/bishop-treanor-launches-pastoral-plan/ |access-date=7 February 2024 |website=Catholicireland.net |language=en-US}}</ref>
Treanor ordained the first [[permanent deacon]]s for diocesan service in October 2018.<ref>{{cite web |date=15 October 2018 |title=Celebrations as nine deacons ordained in Diocese of Down and Connor |url=https://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2018/10/15/news/celebrations-as-nine-deacons-ordained-in-diocese-of-down-and-connor-1458473/ |access-date=22 April 2023 |archive-date=27 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427121918/https://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2018/10/15/news/celebrations-as-nine-deacons-ordained-in-diocese-of-down-and-connor-1458473/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Mac Donald |first=Sarah |date=16 October 2018 |title=Bishop Treanor ordains first permanent deacons for Down and Connor |url=https://www.catholicireland.net/bishop-treanor-ordains-first-permanent-deacons-connor/ |access-date=7 February 2024 |website=Catholicireland.net |language=en-US |archive-date=7 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207114629/https://www.catholicireland.net/bishop-treanor-ordains-first-permanent-deacons-connor/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Walsh |first=Oisín |date=12 October 2018 |title=First ordinations to the permanent diaconate for the Diocese of Down and Connor |url=https://catholicnews.ie/first-ordinations-to-the-permanent-diaconate-for-the-diocese-of-down-and-connor/ |access-date=7 February 2024 |website=Catholic News |language=en-US |archive-date=7 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207114630/https://catholicnews.ie/first-ordinations-to-the-permanent-diaconate-for-the-diocese-of-down-and-connor/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
==Diplomatic career== Treanor was appointed [[Apostolic Nunciature to the European Union|Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union]], with the personal title of archbishop, by [[Pope Francis]] on 26 November 2022.<ref>{{cite web |last=Conneely |first=Ailbhe |date=26 November 2022 |title=Bishop of Down and Connor appointed as EU Apostolic Nuncio |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2022/1126/1338454-pope-bishop-european-union/ |access-date=26 November 2022 |publisher=RTÉ News |archive-date=26 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126150835/https://www.rte.ie/news/2022/1126/1338454-pope-bishop-european-union/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="vatbio22" />
Treanor died of a heart attack in Brussels, on 11 August 2024, at the age of 73.<ref>{{cite news |last=Conneely |first=Ailbhe |date=12 August 2024 |title=EU Apostolic Nuncio Noël Treanor dies aged 73 |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2024/0811/1464493-noel-treanor-eu-apostolic-nuncio/ |access-date=12 August 2024 |archive-date=12 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240812013642/https://www.rte.ie/news/2024/0811/1464493-noel-treanor-eu-apostolic-nuncio/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |access-date=12 August 2024 |date=12 August 2024 |work=Vatican News |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2024-08/apostolic-nuncio-to-the-eu-archbishop-noel-treanor-dies-age-73.html |title=Archbishop Noël Treanor, Apostolic Nuncio to the EU, dies aged 73 |archive-date=12 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240812133940/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2024-08/apostolic-nuncio-to-the-eu-archbishop-noel-treanor-dies-age-73.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
==See also== * [[List of heads of the diplomatic missions of the Holy See]]
== References == {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Wikiquote}} {{Commonscat}} * [https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/btreanor.html Archbishop Noël Treanor] on [[Catholic-Hierarchy.org]] * [https://gcatholic.org/dioceses/nunciature/nunc187.htm#23580 Archbishop Noël Treanor] on GCatholic
{{S-start}} {{S-dip}} {{Succession box | title = [[Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community|Secretary-General of COMECE]] | years = 31 March 1993 – 29 June 2008 | before = [[Paul Schaeffer (bishop)|Paul Schaeffer]] | after = [[Piotr Mazurkiewicz]] }} {{Succession box | title = [[Bishop of Down and Connor]] | years = 29 June 2008 – 26 November 2022 | before = [[Patrick Walsh (Bishop)|Patrick Walsh]] | after = [[Alan McGuckian]] }} {{Succession box | title = [[Apostolic Nunciature to the European Union|Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union]] | years = 26 November 2022 – 11 August 2024 | before = [[Aldo Giordano]] | after = Vacant }} {{S-end}} {{Roman Catholic Bishops of Down and Connor}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Treanor, Noel}} [[Category:1950 births]] [[Category:2024 deaths]] [[Category:21st-century Roman Catholic bishops in Ireland]] [[Category:Bishops appointed by Pope Benedict XVI]] [[Category:Alumni of St Patrick's College, Maynooth]] [[Category:Apostolic nuncios to the European Union]] [[Category:Pontifical Gregorian University alumni]] [[Category:Pontifical Irish College alumni]] [[Category:Roman Catholic bishops of Down and Connor]] [[Category:Diplomats for the Holy See]]